Financial Assistance Program

DECH is committed to treating all patients who need care regardless of their financial status. In additional to the services we offer to help assist you with the payment process, we offer financial assistance to those who cannot afford to pay.

Down East Community Hospital (DECH) has a financial assistance policy that provides eligible patients full or partial discounts on their medical bills from DECH. To seek financial assistance, patients must complete an application as summarized below. Please see our financial assistance policy or contact DECH Patient Financial Services for more information.

Eligibility:

Financial assistance is available for emergency and other medically necessary care. Cosmetic and elective services may not be eligible for assistance.

Generally, financial assistance is available for patients whose family incomes are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Amount of Financial Assistance:

A 75% discount is available for patients with family incomes above 150% and at or below 200% of FPL. A 100% discount (free care) is available for patients with family incomes at or below 150% FPL. A patient eligible for financial assistance will not be charged more than amounts generally billed by DECH for Medicare patients for emergency or other medically necessary care.

How to Apply:

Patients seeking financial assistance must complete an application and may be asked to provide certain documents. You may obtain free copies of DECH’s financial assistance policy and application by clicking the links below. You can also get free paper copies in person or by mail by visiting or contacting DECH:

If you need more information about our financial assistance policy, or assistance with the application, you may visit DECH Patient Financial Services from Monday – Friday (except holidays), 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. You may also call the above phone numbers. DECH cannot assure that every patient who applies for financial assistance will qualify.

Please note: Applications are usually processed the last week of the month. You will receive notification of our decision in writing some time the first week of the following month. You may be requested to supply further information if your application is not complete, and our decision will be deferred for 90 days or until you provide that information. If you do not respond within 90 days, your application will be filed and it will be necessary to begin the process again. Thank you.